(Re)Memory and Identity: A Critical Self-Inquiry Into a Black Woman’s Educational Journey

• In Event: Educators' Reflective Journeys: Defining Identities and Unpacking Knowledges

Abstract

Engaging in critical self-inquiry is vital for educators and researchers to foster growth, promote social justice, and enhance teaching practices. This reflective process has led me to investigate my identity and experiences within broader social contexts (Boylorn, 2016, 2020; Brookfield, 2017). This study explores my identity as a culturally relevant educator (hooks, 1994; Ladson-Billings, 2009) and the impact of discovering my biological family. Adoption at birth influenced my decisions as a teacher and administrator. Through Endarkened Storywork, I reveal my experiences as a Black female educator (McClish & Bhattacharya, 2021; Toliver, 2022), providing a narrative that conveys my mother's knowledge and history. My story illustrates how I became an original warm demander (Ware, 2006).

Author

• Romonda Middlebrooks-Jefferson, Georgia State University